I don’t know Garmin’s stance on bug fixes vs feature updates but certainly for feature updates they certainly cut those off usually within 2-3 years.
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hmm…. my experience is that they dont fully cut them off…. but they do start keeping a few headline features exlusive to newer watches.
But small things do get added so you dont feel totally excluded.
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That’s the thing though. There’s no predicting which watches Garmin will or will not decide to keep updating so you can’t really count on it past 2+ years IMO.
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Only way to stay sane after any tech purchase.
You have to be happy with the features present when you buy it 
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Epix Pro Gen 2 here, added to harming edge 840. I like four Garmin-specific metrics:
- Intensity minutes, which gives you extra “credit” for time in tempo and higher zones
- Training effect per activity, which helps classify my MTB rides as “VO2 Max”
- Estimated recovery time, which keeps me from overtraining sometimes
- “Jumps” indications when I hit them on my MTB.
The other metrics are generally tough to use - I don’t think they’re accurate enough to rely on (training readiness, training load focus, body battery, etc).
My Fenix 6 has been in the draw since getting an Apple Watch, being able to leave my phone at home is lovely and I don’t miss Garmin metrics.
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fwiw I’ve been looking at this as I have events I need mapping. Consensus on various hiking/ outdoor forums seems to be a dedicated basic phone and apps like hiiker is a better option than the likes of etrex.
Also, I have used my 530 in a push to record day long hikes when I didn’t have enough charge on my 145, and then changed activity in connect and strava. My 145 isn’t holding as much charge these days but for general day to day use it is fine.
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I have been using the Forerunner for a long time. I originally had the Garmin 935 and now have the 965. I love it being really light plus I only charge it once a week. I did try to switch to the Apple Watch but couldn’t stand the weight and having to charge everyday.
Any concerns with the watch face / glass being slightly raised above the bezel? I have kept my Suunto Spartan Trainer from 2016 almost completely scratch free, but am a little worried about the raised glass. I’m leaning toward the Epix 2, but have concerns about the increased weight relative to what I’m used to.
As for charging, my Spartan needs to be charged now 1-2 times per week, depending on how much GPS I use. Until recently it could last more than a week, but the battery is starting to show its age. It drops from 100% to 90% overnight as soon as I take it off of the charger, and yesterday’s 75-min run it lost 25%, but then came back up after it warmed up, ultimately consuming 15%. More frequent charging is a total first world problem since I’m not doing any ultra long events, so no show stoppers, just graceful degradation for a watch and battery that are eight years old and have served me very well.
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Any thoughts on the raised glass? Do you feel like you might scratch it more relative to the 745?
I have not had any issues. I believe I upgraded a few years ago and wear it 24/7. There is one very tiny scratch but I had to look really hard to find it. The glass looks great after three years. I am not the easiest on equipment and this has not been the case with other watches.
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The Apple Watch Ultra can record about 16 hours with full-res GPS with a full charge (according to @dcrainmaker’s testing), which is enough for the vast majority of serious athletes. Now if you are an ultra runner, 16 hours might not be enough, but you are a niche of a niche.
My Wahoo Rival lasts 6–9 days on a charge, depending on how much activities I record with it. (I have bike computers and use my phone for TR, although then it does serve as my HRM.)
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Yep I find the battery life on my Ultra 2 pretty good for my use case - going cycling, can stream podcasts and music etc and leaving the iPhone at home. My Garmin cant do any of that.
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